News analysis

Our national intelligence agencies cannot be so inefficient

07th-Jun-2014

Share

Comments

Anandabazar Patrika -the Indian newspaper has reported that, not RAB or any other Bangladeshi intelligence but Indian intelligence agencies informed the exact location of the cache of arms and ammunition recovered from the Satchhari national park to RAB. RAB, however denied the claim by the Indian media. In the report Anandabazar said Indian intelligence forces provided specific info to Bangladesh and while the operation was being carried out even the local police was under complete darkness about the issue. Now, keeping apart the claim of Anandabazar, the total saga of events, as it unfolded raises a number of essential question marks. First of all, if RAB - a branch of police needs to do such undercover operations related to our national security as well then what is precisely the task of the networks of national and defense intelligence agencies? Secondly, it is reported in the media that the time of the arms recovery in many ways imply that the operation may have been planned to recover RAB's dented image. We are not likely to know the truth soon. Thirdly, why it took nearly two decades for the bunkers to be unearthed, and allegedly with the help of foreign intelligence information? It has been claimed that the Indian sources were supplying information of the hidden arms and ammunition for many rears now.If RAB had indeed recovered the arms based on a tip-off by the Indian intelligences, as reported by various domestic media agencies including that of Indian ones, then it is nothing to cheer about and rather we can only criticize the strength and efficiency of our intelligence agencies. But how the Indians came to know of the matter inside Bangladesh before the Bangladeshis did needs a rational clarification. Do we have anything left of our territorial integrity or our right to self-determination? Why did our prestigious intelligence agencies not realize what was happening in the areas near the north-eastern borders? Also without very advanced technology related to satellite imagery for detecting arms it's a conundrum that how the Indians came to know about the exact spot? Is it the case that the operations capacity of a foreign intelligence agency inside our territory is better than that of ours? According to security specialists, our intelligence agencies are given world class training, then how could it be the case? An ex-minister and security specialist told to a Bangla daily that the only explanation is, the Bangladesh government has made the jurisdiction of intelligence agencies subservient upon the actions of RAW - the Indian intelligence agencies. Along with this incident, there have been numerous reports in the media about the fact that Indian forces arrested a supposed ISI agent from Dhaka Airport. These two incidents allude that unless there is a strong and active network of Indian intelligence working inside Bangladesh, these could not have been possible. If it is really the case that Indian agents are operating within Bangladesh territory and have contributed to the discovery of the huge cache of arms in Satchhari jungle, as reported by Indian media outlets, then there is also the high possibility that our national and security issues could be leaked as easily. We unequivocally say that Bangladesh should never be used as a base by militants or terrorists, but in the same spirit how can we let foreign intelligence work more actively than that of ours within our territory? Not only this is a question of security but also this is the question of sovereignty, territorial integrity and right to self-determination. Must we prove that we do not lack patriotism and dignity to uphold our own independence. Failure of political leadership cannot be an excuse for the nation's lack of vigilance.

AFP :Three leading Hong Kong democracy campaigners pleaded not guilty on Monday to public nuisance charges over their involvement in massive rallies calling for political reform, as room for opposition in the semi-autonomous city shrinks under an assertive China.The pioneering trio are among nine activists all facing public nuisance charges ...

President of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Nazmul Hassan Papon MP assumed the post of Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President for a two- year term at its Annual General Meeting held in the Pakistani city of Lahore on Saturday.Nazmul Hassan Papon is the 3rd ACC President from Bangladesh following in the ...

AFP, Kandy :Jack Leach's first five-wicket haul clinched an overwhelming win for England in the second Test against Sri Lanka on Sunday that sealed the series with a match to go.England needed just 30 minutes on the fifth day to take the final three wickets with Leach fittingly getting last ...

THE ongoing trade war between the US and China has created a better opportunity for Bangladesh, especially for garment sectors. The exporters have been receiving a greater number of work orders from both China and the US. The current trade war has opened an opportune moment for us (Bangladesh) as ...

AFP, Colombo :Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday called crucial talks with political leaders in a bid to end a power struggle with the prime minister he sacked last month.The Indian Ocean nation has been paralysed since October 26 when Sirisena deposed Ranil Wickremesinghe as premier and replaced him ...

AFP, Washington :The US government has not reached a final conclusion over the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, the State Department said Saturday following reports that the CIA had held the Saudi Crown Prince responsible."Recent reports indicating that the US government has made a final conclusion are inaccurate," State Department spokeswoman ...

Actress Kriti Sanon who has her hands filled currently with multiple projects has started taking Marathi lessons for her upcoming next. The actress who is currently shooting for Housefull 4 has already begun prep for her next, Panipat. As Kriti will be seen essaying the role of a Maratha queen ...

Actor Sridevi, who died unexpectedly earlier this year, will be posthumously honoured at the 49th edition of International Film Festival of India (IFFI). Sridevi, who had an illustrious career spanning over four decades, died at the age of 55 due to accidental drowning in Dubai earlier this year. The actor ...

Campus Report :In recognition of his vision to digital transformation of society, skill management to imbibe the spirit of entrepreneurship in every youth, and social contribution to destitute children through Daffodil Institute of Social Sciences (DISS) in association with Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), Bhubaneswar, India, the management of ...

Neymar kept his cool to score the controversial penalty that fired Brazil to a 1-0 win over Uruguay in a full-blooded friendly on Friday.Brazil captain Neymar was subjected to some ferocious fouls from Uruguay as the clash between the South American rivals boiled over at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium.But the Paris ...

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Saturday announced the squad for the first Test of two-match series against the West Indies (WI) with ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan returned to the squad.Another big-name inclusion in the squad is Soumya Sarkar, whose last Test appearance came on the tour of South ...

THE Police Investigation Bureau (PIB) has unveiled the mystery behind a spine-chilling crime where a middle-aged woman passenger was killed inside a running bus at Ashulia in the outskirts of Dhaka city. It took hardly seven days for them to crack the case. Police have already arrested the murderers along ...